>I see most WW paddles are now in the 190 to 200cm range. Wouldn't they be able >to brace better with a 240+cm paddle too? Personally, I don't think longer >paddle length is nearly as important as ones technique and speed for bracing. >The quicker you can be proactive or reactive (or reactively proactive) the >better in a situation that can quickly lead to a capsize. The shorter lighter >paddle can react quicker and the paddler has much better control of a nearby >blade than one that is way out on the end of a long shaft. (And that is before >the wind gets ahold of it). Needless to say, I don't buy the bracing with a >long paddle is more secure belief I'm reading here. A WW paddle needs to be shorter for two reasons. First of all, a WW kayak is much shorter than a SK and has more pronounced rocker. The paddler must paddle close to the side, vertically, to keep the boat going straight. A long paddle forces a stroke far enough away that the boat is turning instead. Too, with a long shaft doing a vertical stroke is an awkward position and perhaps risky since your arms are extended above your head. Secondly, you are likely paddling among rocks or other features that a long paddle will be striking. That could knock you over or damage the paddle. It could also prevent you from making the stroke you need to. My WW paddle is 202 cm, but I use other paddles up to 240 cm in length. They work better in different water situations and also for different boats. So paddle length, as mentioned by others, is partly determined by the rest of your equipment as well as personal predilections. Joe P. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - Any opinions or suggestions expressed here are solely those of the writer(s). You must assume the entire responsibility for reliance upon them. All postings copyright the author. Submissions: PaddleWise_at_PaddleWise.net Subscriptions: PaddleWise-request_at_PaddleWise.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************Received on Wed Jul 21 2010 - 06:59:59 PDT
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